Feb. 24, 2006
Results
Normal, Ill. -
Improving its record to 4-5, the Illinois State gymnastics team defeated the Broncos of Western Michigan. The Redbirds led the entire meet and scored higher on all of the events except vault. This is ISU's fourth home meet of the season and all four wins took place in Redbird Country.
Redbird head coach, Bob Conkling was pleased with his teams performance and confidence levels.
"My goal for the longest time has been for them to hit on all four events," said Conkling. "I felt that as a team they accomplished that. There were mistakes, but overall, they finally stepped up to a higher level of competition and beat a tough school."
Six gymnasts compete on each event and five of the six scores are counted. The Redbirds had a few falls, but were able to throw out those scores and count the cleaner routines. Meaghan Koshman won vault with her 9.825. Conkling is thrilled with Koshman as a freshman vaulter. Nina Posada went two for two with her 9.150 vault and her 9.275 bar routine. This was Posada's first meet this season. Western Michigan vaulted a 47.725 to ISU's 47.350.
"Koshman's event is definitely vault," said Conkling. "She does well on her others, but is frequently winning on this event. Amanda Candler's 9.475 tied her season high vault. I was also pleased with Andi Berry and Amy Biedenharn's vaults. Also, Nina came out and nailed two events for us. This is exactly what we needed her to do for us tonight."
Steadiness on bars improved for the `Birds this meet, as they struggled last time. Candler swung a 9.650 to win the uneven bar competition and Whitney Albright took third with her 9.575 score. All six gymnasts hit their routines with no falls. Conkling was pleased with this improvement. Team bar scores were 47.175 for ISU and 45.925 for Western Michigan.
Balance was the name of the game on beam, and the `Birds did just that; kept their balance. Consistent Megan Goetting showed off her 9.575 routine with Cheryl Berezan, 9.550, and Koshman, 9.475, following. ISU tallied 47.075 to Western Michigan's 46.725.
With a team floor score of 47.150, ISU also won this event to Western Michigan's 46.700. Tove Fjordholm and Koshman's 9.600 led the Redbirds and also tied the two for second place. Following not far behind was Biedenharn with her 9.500.
"Scores didn't justify just how great their performances were on floor," said Conkling. "Beam I was happy with. Megan Goetting has been steady and consistent all season on beam, which helps out the team tremendously. Overall, I'm very happy with the routines I saw tonight. Our confidence and positive attitude is starting to show. What I'm most excited about is that they hit this meet. The win is icing on the cake."
